GRETNA – A Jefferson Parish man is suing a landscaping company and its owner for not fully paying his contracted wages.

Jose Humberto Madrid Hernandez filed suit against Landscaping by Rainforest Inc. and Edward Levie in the 24th Judicial District Court on Dec. 13. Hernandez claims he was contracted by Landscaping by Rainforest Inc. and Edward Levie at a rate of $200 a day, but they only ever paid him $100-120 a day. The plaintiff claims he performed labor for the defendants from June 2010 through June 2012 and that he is owed $12,900 in addition to $120 he loaned to the defendants.

The defendants are accused of breach of contract, violating the Louisiana Wage Payment Act and failing to reimburse funds loaned.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for wages earned and funds due for the work performed in addition to penalty wages in the form of 90 days of pay from the date of first demand and attorney’s fees.

Hernandez is represented by MaryJo L. Roberts of New Orleans-based Phelps Dunbar.